Staying home, watching TV and going out for dinner is not all that expensive and may be quite manageable on $30k a year.

My mother is now 82 and retired in her mid-60s. She lives just fine entirely out of about $14k social security. She does have some savings which she rarely spends.

She is not much a spender. Her house is paid for. Utility costs are low. Her car (which she rarely drives) is paid for. Her property taxes are relatively low. She likes to watch TV and visit with family. She rarely eats out. She doesn't have cable TV (always thought that was a waste of money -- thinks ABC, CBS and NBC are enough for anyone). She has no real hobbies that cost money.

Her biggest expense is prescriptions. She is someone who has saved a lot through the prescription drug plan.

While my dad was still alive and drawing social security they managed to save money at that time as they just didn't spend that money each year.

The one thing that might have been a problem for them was when my dad was still alive he was hospitalized several months and came close to reaching the limit that Medicare would have paid for. It would have been good for them to have long term care insurance but they didn't have it.

Anyway, it is perfectly possible to live just fine on $30k a year particularly if your house is paid for.

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